Orthognathic Corrective Jaw Surgery — San Luis Obispo, CA
Corrective jaw surgery
When the jaws themselves are misaligned, surgery can correct your bite, ease chewing and speaking, and bring the face into balance. Dr. Janette plans every case around your anatomy and leads it from first scan to final bite.
Overview
What is orthognathic surgery?
Orthognathic surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both so they meet correctly. It’s for problems that braces alone can’t fix: a bite that doesn’t line up, an upper and lower jaw that grew at different rates, an open bite, difficulty chewing or speaking, or in some cases sleep and breathing issues tied to jaw position.
Repositioning the jaws is exactly what oral and maxillofacial surgeons train for. Dr. Janette’s five-year, hospital-based residency at Northwestern included orthognathic surgery and facial reconstruction, the full architecture of the facial skeleton. Every case is planned in detail before surgery day, so each movement is measured and rehearsed in advance. Your orthodontist prepares the teeth for the moves Dr. Janette will make, and he makes those moves based on that preparation. The two halves of the surgical plan are the surgeon’s.
Urgent? Call 805-541-5611
Candidacy & Indications
Am I a Candidate for Jaw Surgery?
Jaw surgery may be considered when the jaws themselves, not just the teeth, are misaligned.
Who this is for:
- For patients: a bite that doesn’t meet, trouble chewing or speaking, an open bite, chronic jaw strain, or facial imbalance that braces alone can’t correct.
- For referring orthodontists: we welcome patients with skeletal discrepancies beyond what orthodontics alone can correct, including significant AP, vertical, or transverse problems, open bite, or asymmetry. Not sure if a case is surgical? Send it over or call, and Dr. Janette is glad to co-evaluate.
It’s significant surgery, and it isn’t right for everyone; timing, growth, and overall health all matter. Dr. Janette will give you a straight answer about whether it’s the right path. If it is, you’ll go in with a plan built using our latest 3D technology by the surgeon who performs your surgery.
Dr. Janette’s Approach
Our approach to jaw surgery
Corrective jaw surgery is some of the most specialized work in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and it sits at the center of Dr. Janette’s training. He is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and a Fellow of the AAOMS. His hospital-based residency at Northwestern spanned orthognathic surgery, facial reconstruction, and facial trauma. He covers the full scope of the facial skeleton.
That training shows up in how your case is run. Dr. Janette reads your imaging personally and maps each jaw movement from your CBCT scan. Evaluation and planning happen right here in our office, and if surgery isn’t the right path for you, he’ll say so.
Office Technology
The technology we use for jaw surgery
3D virtual surgical planning
Your jaws are mapped from a CBCT scan and the movements planned digitally before surgery.
Why it matters: the plan is rehearsed in advance, not improvised in the room.
Orthodontic coordination
The surgical plan is shared and sequenced with your orthodontist.
Why it matters: braces and surgery aim at the same finish.
What to Expect
How the jaw surgery procedure works
Before: your 3D surgical plan
Jaw surgery is the middle step in a longer journey. Your orthodontist aligns the teeth first, often over many months. As surgery nears, Dr. Janette takes a 3D scan, plans each jaw movement virtually, and reviews the plan with you, including timing, recovery, and a written estimate, so you know exactly what will happen well before surgery day.
During: repositioning the jaws
Orthognathic surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Working from the 3D plan, Dr. Janette repositions the jaw or jaws and secures them in their new position, usually with small plates and screws that stay in place. Incisions are typically made inside the mouth, so there are generally no visible facial scars. Dr. Janette will walk you through exactly what your case involves, and the surgery is performed at French Hospital Medical Center.
After: healing and finishing the bite
Expect noticeable swelling and a soft or liquid diet in the early weeks while the jaws heal. This is a bigger recovery than most oral surgery, and we won’t pretend otherwise. Bone healing continues over the following weeks to months, and your orthodontist finishes detailing the bite afterward. We’ll see you for follow-ups throughout and stay in contact with your orthodontist.
Case Study
A recent case
Case Study · Jaw Surgery
From 3D plan to a corrected bite
[PROOF: one de-identified orthognathic case — challenge → 3D plan → outcome.]
Read the full case study →Recovery & Post-Op
Your first weeks after surgery
- Jaw surgery has a longer recovery than most procedures. The early weeks involve swelling, a soft or liquid diet, and taking it easy.
- Steady improvement follows; full bone healing and the orthodontic finish take longer.
- We’ll give you specific milestones for your case.
- These are general guides. Follow the specific instructions your surgeon gives you.
When to call us
Contact the office for things like bleeding that won’t stop, breathing difficulty, swelling that worsens unexpectedly, fever, or anything that doesn’t feel right with how the jaws are sitting. Call the office with any concern. We’d rather you call than wonder.
Cost & Insurance
Cost of jaw surgery
Jaw surgery is a significant procedure, and cost depends on your case. Because it can involve both dental and medical benefits, our office checks your coverage and helps you navigate your benefits before the consultation. You’ll get a written estimate before scheduling anything, and third-party financing is one way to spread the cost.
Frequently Asked
Questions patients ask us about jaw surgery
Usually not; incisions are typically made inside the mouth, so there are generally no visible facial scars.
It’s a longer recovery than most oral surgery: the early weeks involve swelling and a soft diet, with bone healing continuing over the following weeks to months. We’ll give you milestones for your specific case.
Because this is the work Dr. Janette trained for. His Northwestern residency included orthognathic surgery and facial reconstruction, your case is planned using our 3D technology, and the surgeon who builds the plan is the one who sees it through and follows your healing personally.
Patient Experiences
In our patients’ words
“Dr. Janette displays a reassuring confidence but also makes you feel as though you’ve known him for years.”
“The staff and the doctor were kind, professional, and thorough. They discussed my situation and options thoroughly. I am grateful.”
Ready to talk through your case?
Request a consultation. CBCT imaging, clinical exam, and a written treatment plan with fee quote at your first visit.